On the 22nd of the 5th month the temporary female school at Bathurst was given up, and the women friends left that place on the 24th, to take up their abode, with the other part of the family, at the Cape.* The inducements for having engaged themselves, as a temporary measure, in the work of school instruction at Bathurst, have been stated in the Second Report. H. Kilham, Ann Thompson, and Richard Smith, had, since the return of our friends from Sierra Leone, been up the river Gambia, to Jillifee and Albreda, and held conferences with the Alcaide of the former place, and with the natives at both.

Being at length together at Birkow, the contemplated site of the future settlement, a month's abode of the whole party there, sufficed to convince them of the eligibility of the place for a permanent residence, and, at the same time, of the total inexpediency of the present dwelling being occupied by the whole company, during the ensuing rains. The house, the use of which had been granted to the Committee by the late Governor, had been previously intended to serve occasionally as a place of recovery for the sick of the colony of St. Mary's. This intention had never been given up; and it appeared that the continuance there, through the rainy season, of such a family, in a building containing, besides the stores in the basement, only one sitting-room and two small lodging-rooms, was quite incompatible with its object as a convalescent hospital. In such circum, stances it was evidently impracticable to extend the design of receiving into the family young persons to be trained as native teachers, or even to look forward to the possession of such accommodations for the family themselves, during the rains, as health would require, should the whole remain; and the Committee have no doubt, that the return of a part of the company, under these circumstances, will be regarded by other friends, as it is by them, as a prudent and necessary measure.

With regard to our dear friend John Thompson, he had not, so far as the Committee know, at the time of his leaving England, any view of a long residence on the African coast; although he spoke of his living to return to his friends at home, as a matter of much uncertainty.

On the 23rd of the 6th month, our friends held the adjournment of their fourth conference, the concluding minute of which is as follows: "We are favoured to close our present conference in the feeling of peace and unity, and under a sense that much thankfulness is due to Divine Providence, for the many favours received since our arrival on this coast. On the following day, H. Kilham, A. Thompson, and J. Thompson, went on board the Sarah, (Grove, master,) bound for London. It appears that at this time they all considered themselves in good health; but soon after coming on board, our dear young friend John Thompson took a heavy cold, which was succeeded by an inflammatory fever, that terminated in his removal, on the 6th of the 7th month, fifteen days after their departure from the African coast. "I could not doubt, "" says our friend H. Kilham, in her account of the deceased, "from the precious feeling that was sensibly about him, and from the state of mind which was evinced, both before and in his sickness, that Divine love was near him, and the refining influence of the Redeemer's power preparing him for a better habitation. The support which was mercifully extended to his beloved sister and to myself, in the awful moment of his departure, the precious feeling of peace which accompanied, and the Divine consolation which covered our minds, as a light dispersing all darkness, whilst we sat beside the remains of our much-endeared friend, when brought upon deck to be committed to the great deep, are unmerited favours which will, I trust, still be

[Most of the pupils would after that time have the advantage of instruction in a Girls' School, now opened by the wife of a Methodist Missionary, lately arrived in the Gambia. H. K.]

held in humbling and grateful remembrance During the stay of the friends at Birkow, (where they had all very full occupation,) John Thompson had been several times to Bathurst, on account of the concern, and had shewn great zeal and activity on its behalf. "To those who best knew him," (H. Kilham writes) "and had opportunity to observe his disposition and conduct from day to day, it was evident that he was more in principle than in profession. He was sincere and diligent in the discharge of the trust committed to him, and, in several departments of our new establishment, peculiarly qualified for usefulness. His conduct in the family, among the Europeans, and before the natives, was exemplary, and consistent with his profession as a Friend; and I have no doubt that he will be remembered in Africa with the feeling of affection and esteem."

Hannah Kilham and Ann Thompson landed at Dartmouth, on the 3rd of the Sth month; and having since recruited their strength, after the fatigues of this trying passage, it does not appear that either of them has suffered in health from the visit to Africa.

water.

Reserving various particulars for a future publication, the Committee feel that they must proceed, very briefly, to state the circumstances in which the concern is now left, under the care of onr friend Richard Smith, at Birkow, he still residing in the house belonging to government. In a memorandum presented to the Committee, H. Kilham writes as follows: "The establishment was left as agreeably settled as could be hoped for, and more so than we could have expected, for so short a time of residence. The garden, of about half an acre, enclosed, and several fruits and vegetables in cultivation. The distance, indeed, nearly a mile from the house, but the situation good, and the soil fertile. A well made in the garden, which gave for it and for the family a constant supply of good A kind of carriage, prepared for bringing up water in a cask, for the house, drawn by a horse, the first taught to perform labour in that district, and the wheels the first pair ever used at the Cape. The plough sent out by the Committee had been brought into use, and the land near the house was preparing against the rainy season. The house department was pretty well settled, and an inventory taken of the linen and other articles. Provisions had been laid in against the rains, so as to prevent the necessity of much communication with the island, as it is then often difficult. A young native married couple were living with R. Smith in the house. The wife, who had been our scholar and servant at Bathurst, can cook, wash, mangle, &c. having been accustomed to European families. She speaks English, Jaloof, and a little Mandingo. A boy on the premises can interpret Mandingo for R. Smith, who is now about to apply to the acquisition of that language for himself. A set of lessons has been prepared in the Mandingo, a copy of which is left with R. Smith, for his use. A school had been opened on First-days, for the instruction of the boys and girls of Birkow in Mandingo. There was also an evening school for the few young people of the family. These schools were intended to be continued by our friend R. Smith. The stores, farming, and other implements, and school-apparatus, were removed to the Cape: the store-room neatly fitted up with shelves, and the things arranged. Our friend R. Smith is well qualified to act in these concerns, and he has the esteem and confidence of the people. The disposition of the Alcaide of Birkow was very open and friendly toward us, to the time of our departure, as was evinced by his sending his children to our school, which, in the first interview at Bathurst, he had declined. The Alcaide informed John Thompson, when about to take leave of him, that he regarded him as his son; and that, if any one were to offer an injury to R. Smith, he should consider it as done to himself. We found that we could now leave Birkow with satisfaction, although deeply attached to the cause in which we were engaged.

Of the two native teachers who went out with the friends, the Committee have to report as follows: Mahmadee having had the offer made him of an alliance with a family at Perang, a Mandingo village, twenty miles up the river from Birkow, has married a young woman of respectable character and connexions,

and settled at that place. He had here built himself a square house, which is to be plastered within and without, and will probably become a model to his neighbours. He is industrious, has obtained land for cultivation, and having been furnished with various implements, some articles of furniture, and schoolrequisites, it is hoped he will be useful in his station, although he has not continued that connexion with the Committee which was originally designed. He purposes to have an evening school, to be managed with the assistance of his young relation, Jackow, a boy who has had some months' instruction in the family at the Cape, and whose quickness of parts, diligence in learning as well as in other occupations, and his agreeable dispositions and conduct, had given the Friends much satisfaction.

With respect to Sandanee, the Committee regret to say that he has not evinced a stability of conduct equal to his talent for conducting a native school, which, upon trial at Bathurst, was found to be considerable. He was left at that place for the present, under the care of John Morgan, a Wesleyan Missionary, in whose school he was to be employed; and whose firm and judicious conduct towards him, affords a hope (as he has appeared often sensible of his faults) that he might yet be so far restored, as to justify the Committee in entrusting him with a school for himself.

On reviewing the progress and present state of this interesting and very important engagement, the Committee feel that much is already effected in the way of laying a foundation for future labours. They consider the present degree of suspension of the work, as regards the instruction of the natives in schoollearning, to be owing chiefly to the want of a sufficiently commodious dwelling, which might afford to the friends engaged a reasonable prospect of preserving their health in the rainy season; and it is obvious that, unless such accommodation can be provided, there is no prospect of an effectual prosecution of the work.

It is the intention of our friend H. Kilham, in the prosecution of the proposed arrangements, should Divine Providence so permit, to return to the coast of Africa, for a longer or shorter season, as circumstances and a feeling of duty at the time may appear to require.

The Committee have deemed it right for them, thus to lay before the Subscribers the circumstances in which they are placed. The measures which it may be proper for them to take for the future prosecution of the object, will now become a subject of serious deliberation. In the mean time, the Treasurer is considerably in advance; and, as it is obvious that much must depend on the degree in which the endeavours of the Committee are now seconded by the liberality of friends, it is earnestly requested of those to whom this Circular may be sent, that they will communicate its contents to friends generally, and promote the subscription, which it is hoped is now on foot in most parts of our society in this island. A design which has originated in motives of the purest and warmest charity, and respecting which the eyes of the poor Africans abroad, and of our fellow-christians at home, are now turned towards us, will not be permitted they are persuaded, to languish for want of pecuniary support. Signed, on behalf of the Committee, by JOHN SANDERSON. London, 10th of 9th Month, 1824

[To be continued.]

at

Communications may be addressed, POST-PAID, "For the Editor of the Yorkshireman, the Printer's, Pontefract: at Longman and Co,'s, London; John Baines and Co.'s, Leeds; and W. Simpson's, York.

CHARLES ELCOCK, PRINTER, PONTEFRACT.

THE

YORKSHIREMAN,

A

RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY JOURNAL

BY A FRIEND.

PRO PATRIA.

No. XIV. PRICE 4d. ART. I.-Church Reform: Irish Establishment: the Methodists. "Great is the earth, high is the heaven, swift is the sun in his course: for he compasseth the heavens round about, and fetcheth his course again to his own place in one day. Is not He great that maketh these things? Therefore great is the truth, and stronger than all things. All the earth calleth upon the truth and the heaven blesseth it. All works shake and tremble at it, and with it is no unrighteous thing -it endureth and is always strong; it liveth and conquereth for evermore." 1 Esdr. iv. 34–36, 38.

FIFTH DAY, 31st FIRST Mo. 1833.

Whatever may be the judgment of a critical reader, as to the date and genuineness of this passage-whether he will allow it to have been written before the gospels, or insist that it was composed after them, there is in it matter worthy our observation. Let the reader but consider first its relation to the following scriptures. Ps. xlv. 3, 4. lvii. 3: xcvi. 13: c. 5; and several other passages: Dan. iv. 37: John i. 17: viii. 32, 44: xiv. 6: xvii. 17: 2 John iii. 4.

It was certainly a proof of the wisdom of God, (as it is also a prominent feature of the Christian dispensation,) that Truth as we find it displayed in these most excellent writings, came forth simply as TRUTH; neither having nor needing the logic of the schools and the patronage of princes, to recommend it to our attention. Had our Lord come at once in the fulness of that glory he had with the Father, before the world was, it might have been said by the adversary that his doctrine was received, not because the things were so, but because of the dignity of its promulgator, and of the worldly advantages which the followers of such an one might reasonably expect from professing it but it was not so that it pleased God to have it received. He demonstrated indeed his own omnipotence and omniscience, by undeniable miracles: but it was to such as had faith to receive him in

an humble and lowly appearance that the truth found its way; not to the proud disputatious learned, who were looking for a temporal king. dom through the Messiah. These admitted with reluctance the little they did admit; and they soon dismissed even that belief, and joined in persecuting and putting the Christ to death.

But the Truth, which is stronger than all things emerged from the grave; it was not possible that the man Jesus "should be holden of death." He ascended up far above all heavens, to remain still our prototype and mediator; and that he might fill all things, that is, fulfil the whole purposes of God concerning us in heaven, after having done his whole will on earth. Among these things to be fulfilled in their season, we may safely reckon the reformation of the Church, in respect of many and great abuses of the power Ecclesiastical; which hath been left imperfect to this day (in compliance with the temper of the times) by such as from time to time have undertaken it; and obstructed, all along, by considerations of temporal interest, in churchmen of all kinds and grades of distinction.

Take for a specimen the strenuous opposition made to a reform of the Protestant Ecclesiastical Establishment in Ireland; a thing admitted to be so full of wrongs, that it may well be said, "Protestancy doth now need a protestation against itself." I shall take up a sentiment or two, which have fallen under my notice in this controversy, and make such remarks on them as occur. In the year 1829 (if we have it truly stated in the "Record" of Oct. 22nd, of that year) the Bishop of Ferns, in reply to the Lord Mountcashel, wrote thus:

"And I will ask, to what good end can it now tend to complain of the abuse which Bishops may have made of their power of uniting parishes, when your Lordship knows that they have no longer the power of uniting them? But to proceed." The incomes of the Clergy are unequally divided; the Curate has not sufficient to procure the decencies of life for his family." Permit me to ask whether your Lordship has looked into the last Act relative to Curates' salaries, (it was passed five years ago,) and whether any thing beyond that can be expected -unless, indeed, the principle of equalizing all incomes, and having no Curates at all, be adopted? The evils of such a system it would take an essay to detail. Just let us view it thus:-The incomes allotted to the Clergy are designed to induce men to enter into the Church, with the hope that it will afford them a maintenance, and eventually a competence, or even affluence. Seen in this light, (and setting aside all higher motives for adopting the profession, as being perfectly unconnected with the secular interest now under consideration,) 1 will appeal to the experience of all men, whether unequal emoluments, varying through very different degrees, will not be more attractive than the low, uniform income which an equal division would afford to each individual. The fact is before us. Our supply of educated men is fully adequate to our wants, on the present system. What improvement could a change in that system produce? A vague notion of an immense revenue which might be thrown into the heap to be divided, is, I well know, abroad. "The extent of the Bishops' lands is very great "-granted. But it is admitted that at least four-fifths of the profit of those lands are in the hands of their tenants. It would probably be nearer the truth to say nine-tenths. But, be the proportion what it may, it would be direct robbery to deprive them (the tenants) of possessions,

"I receive £60," says a Curate, who writes in the Evening Mail' of the 19th inst., "and I do not repine at present (spero meliora tamen) because I know at least a dozen looking out for the first intimation of my quitting my present appointment." Ed.